GRATITUDE

There were beautiful flowers with gorgeous buds, but I missed them totally as I concentrated on the thorns.

There were incredible rainbows, but it was as if I were blind because I couldn't see them as I frowned about the rain.

There was a roof over my head and food on the table, but instead of appreciation I just worried about paying the bills.

There were people in need and I didn't notice them, instead I worried about petty, minor details of life.

There was a time that I was quite healthy, but I missed it's importance as I stayed caught up in the rat race of life.

I have experienced love, kindness and joy, but I never stopped to be thankful for them, I instead took them for granted.

I have experienced parenthood, with all its ups and downs, but I never stopped to fully realize these were gifts not given to everyone.

I have experienced occasional intense physical pain, but I never considered the people that live with pain every moment of their lives.

There are people dying at this moment that would trade places with my abilities and my health in a split second.

Maybe I am finally learning that life does get hard, but when it does you just put one foot in front of the other and go on anyway.

And today I will notice the flowers, the rainbows, the children, my painlessness, my home and food, and be sure not to complain about my health.

by: Debbie Wilson

7-27-96